Homemade submarine constructed by a Chinese farmer creates a stir
In the heart of China's northern Shaanxi province, a 60-year-old farmer named Zhang has made headlines for his remarkable DIY submarine project. Dubbed the "Big Black Fish," this small, steel vessel can carry two people and dive up to eight meters, making it a testament to individual ingenuity rather than a sign of a broader trend.
Zhang's interest in submarines was sparked in 2014, after watching their construction on TV. Despite his wife's opposition, he spent 5,000 yuan on steel plates, engines, and other materials to bring his dream to life. The launch of his first sub was described as a dream filled with fear and hope.
The "Big Black Fish" is powered by a small battery and electric motor, allowing it to travel at four knots per hour. It is equipped with two ballast tanks to control its buoyancy, and Zhang piloted it with a closed hatch during its initial dive. However, the first sub encountered leaks, and Zhang spent an additional 40,000 yuan on a new steel structure to rectify the issue.
Two tons of concrete were poured into the bottom of the submarine for stability, and Zhang plans to build an even bigger vessel in the future. He is not the only Chinese inventor to embark on such a project; there have been other instances of amateur submarine construction in China.
In a separate incident, Zhang Shengwu, a villager from China's eastern Anhui province, recently launched a five-ton sub into a river near his rural home. Prior to this project, Zhang was a carpenter and worked in shipping, which may have contributed to his interest in maritime engineering.
Despite these isolated incidents, there is no substantial evidence to suggest a widespread increase in amateur submarine construction across China. The phenomenon, at least as reported, remains anecdotal and localized to these individual cases. China's focus on marine science and international ocean governance, as well as its large-scale infrastructure projects, are institutional and governmental, not amateur or grassroots.
In conclusion, while the stories of Zhang and Zhang Shengwu are inspiring, they do not indicate a national trend of amateur submarine construction in China. Each case appears to be an individual's personal project, driven by a unique combination of curiosity, determination, and resources.
Technology played a pivotal role in sparking Zhang's interest in building a submarine, as he was inspired by watching submarine construction on TV. The submarine, termed the "Big Black Fish," is a testament to the use of technology in crafting this DIY underwater vessel.
